Global Affairs Live

Karen DeYoung, Steve Erlanger, and Gideon Rachman join Ivo Daalder to discuss 2022’s biggest stories in their eyes. From the Ukraine-Russia war and its impact on global markets to the faltering of authoritarian rule and the unexpected revival of the West, they reflect on a tumultuous year and what 2023 might hold.

Sweden and Finland have officially applied for NATO membership following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, marking a significant security policy change for the two Nordic nations. In light of this historic geopolitical shift, experts discuss what obstacles remain to a northern enlargement of NATO, how Moscow might respond, and the overall implications for European security.

A flurry of meetings and calls have taken place in recent days between the leaders and top diplomats of the United States, Russia, Ukraine, and European nations, in an effort to forestall potential Russian military action in Ukraine. With a diplomatic breakthrough remaining elusive and Russian forces continuing to mass close to Ukraine’s border, what might be President Putin’s next move—and is there still hope for de-escalation? General Wesley K. Clark, Ivo H. Daalder, Susan Glasser, Bianna Golodryga and Lieutenant General Mark Hertling discuss this, and more, as tensions with Russia continue to grow.

The Summit for Democracy on December 9 and 10 brought together the heads of over 100 countries to discuss the state of political freedom around the world. Convened by President Biden, the Summit struck a somber tone, as participants grappled with the growing power of authoritarian states and the rising popularity of populist leaders within the democratic world. Michael Abramowitz, Ivo Daalder, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, and Nathalie Tocci consider the scale of the challenges raised at the Summit, and how the world’s democracies might respond.

Democracies are facing multiplying challenges, from structural changes to geopolitical shifts to cultural transformations. Though the United States remains one of the strongest democratic nations in the world, it is by no means immune to democratic backsliding. As the American public becomes more polarized on issues such as press freedom and US-Russia relations, the question of how core democratic commitments is being even more sharply presented. Will our institutions hold? Do the systemic weaknesses revealed by recent pressures on the US Constitution require fundamental change in how it is interpreted and implemented? How likely is it that our democracy could erode, and can we mitigate the risk?

Identity has become a defining—and divisive—political concept around the world. In recent years appeals to group identity have underpinned the election of Donald Trump, the success of the Brexit “leave” campaign, the rise of politicized Islam and anti-immigrant nationalism, and the emergence of powerful social movements like #metoo. But as demands for recognition based on nationality, ethnicity, religion, and gender have risen in prominence, these narrower identities are conflicting with the universal values of liberal democracy, argues Francis Fukuyama. What is driving the focus on identity in politics today? And can identity be molded in a way that supports rather than undermines democracy?

Food transcends beyond the plate, creating both pleasure and purpose. It defines our place in the world and the issues we care most about. This year’s James Beard Foundation honorees are recognized for their leadership within their communities, their contributions to their cultural heritage, and their utilization of farming and food as a form of advocacy for social good. How have these leaders elevated social issues through food and culture? How have they brought about disruption, awareness, and purposeful change?

Amid Brexit, a rising China, and an increasingly assertive Russia, Germany finds itself in the middle of a range of foreign policy challenges. Meanwhile, reverberations from the US-China trade war are taking their toll on Germany’s export-driven economy, contributing to its slowest rate of growth in five years. The rise of populism worldwide has also reached German politics, with its consequent pressure on Germany’s postwar liberal democracy. As the era of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s leadership comes to a close, how will Germany confront the foreign policy challenges it faces? In what ways will Germany’s internal politics affect its decision-making on external issues? Will the US pullback from the world stage be met with more robust German diplomacy?

America’s post-war history offers a blueprint for a more equitable economic future, argue MIT economists Jonathan Gruber and Simon Johnson. Starting in 1940, unprecedented public investment allowed for breakthroughs in science and technology. Advancements such as radar, digital computers, jet engines, and eventually the internet, enabled America to achieve economic supremacy, and were themselves catalysts for even greater economic growth. Yet in recent decades innovation has tended to reinforce inequality and concentrate wealth in a few coastal enclaves. How can America recreate an economy where the benefits of growth are shared more widely? And will technology help or hinder this process?

The Sahel region of Africa faces many challenges in building a more peaceful and prosperous future. From violent extremism to increasing migrant and refugee flows, instability in the Sahel has become a focus for regional and global policy leaders. In order to achieve a sustainable peace, the underlying causes for regional instability must be addressed. How can sustainable development and regional partnerships help improve security in the Sahel? What other policies can help enhance economic and physical security in the region?